A former children’s performer deported from Thailand to the United Kingdom was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Monday for various sex offenses against minors.
McKee, who is originally from Wallasey Village in Merseyside, was discovered and arrested in Thailand by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) in September 2022 before being extradited to stand trial in Liverpool.
Following the punishment, CIB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej told the Bangkok Post that the National Crime Agency in the United Kingdom had cooperated closely with the CIB in arresting and securing McKee’s extradition.
“It was a major crime case in the United Kingdom.” “All foreign suspects fleeing to Thailand [like McKee] will be apprehended and deported,” he stated.
McKee was found guilty in Liverpool Crown Court last month and sentenced to 30 years in prison with a further four years on extended licence on Monday.
“The offences McKee committed were truly horrific and spanned a number of years and victims,” Merseyside Police Detective Constable Graeme Beacall said.
“When his victims first came forward in 2017, our investigation began.” McKee had relocated out of the UK and was verified to be residing in Thailand at the time, but he never returned to the UK to assist with our extensive and protracted inquiries.
“The extradition process began when the Crown Prosecution Service authorized the charges against him.” McKee was apprehended by Royal Thai Police in September 2022 and detained in Bangkok before being transferred to the UK.
“He then chose to prolong his victims’ anguish by pleading not guilty and subjecting them to the ordeal of a trial.”
“Thanks to the victims’ courage, justice was served today, and he will now serve a significant period of time behind bars.” I hope McKee’s conviction and imprisonment bring some closure to his victims and allow them to go on with their lives.
“This case has demonstrated that time and distance are not barriers to justice, and that we will do everything in our power to find and bring to justice those responsible for committing crimes like this, even if they attempt to flee to other countries.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the National Crime Agency and the Royal Thai Police for their assistance in bringing McKee to justice.”
“McKee believed he could evade justice by fleeing the UK, but thanks to the joint work of Merseyside Police, the NCA’s international network, the Royal Thai Police, and the Thai Attorney General’s Office, he was located,” said Dave Coyle, the National Crime Agency’s regional manager for Thailand.He was arrested and extradited to the UK, and we are pleased he has been brought to justice for his crimes.”
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